America is the Least Free We’ve Ever Been in a New Ranking of Economic Freedom

I’ve reported for years on studies that rank relative freedom in countries around the world. America’s performance is getting worse.
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The Heritage Foundation ranks economic freedom across the globe.
We once ranked 4th .
This year, the U.S. slipped to its "worst-ever score,” 25th.
I’ll show you why we’re falling so fast, and why we should increase freedom.

[@Jdeneik]

600 statutes passed every year in the USA. The bigger the government the smaller the citizen

[@SovereignStatesman]

You pass by 600 statues ever year? You must live in the region with a lot of them.

[@danielmacnair7262]

@@SovereignStatesman by ''ever'' did you mean every? I feel like @jkiene meant statutes where said ''statues''.

[@unbreakable7633]

There are more than 40000 federal criminal laws, mostly regulatory offenses, not even counting the civil statutes.

[@MissLibertarian]

When I told the judge that ignorance of the law was frequently an excellent excuse, those statutes were what I had in mind. I'm sorry to say he "thanked and excused" me from jury duty because I was able to convince him I meant it and gave examples.

[@sarahg2653]

@@SovereignStatesman lol

[@aurorakins]

I always find it funny how the US government continues passing more and more laws every year like it's necessary. No the fuck it is not.

[@DavianSinner]

They aren't called "lawmakers" for nothing.

[@Willie_Pete_Was_Here]

“Progress”

[@PhilWarner]

For every new law proposed, 10 should be removed.

[@majermike]

@@PhilWarner yes now that would be a good law

[@frankiewally1891]

but stupid Americans do nothing and let themselves be taken for fools,because,I believe .they`re are!

[@bertblue9683]

When you literally steal everyone's money and still 31 trillion in debt.

[@andrewjs81]

The upside is we can complain about it when were left destitute.

[@theomaid]

@@andrewjs81 at least you guys are still better off than Canada

[@higherground9888]

Literally not enough money printed too make up for the greed and uselessness of these parasites.

[@adamcheeseplease]

What are you talking about?..

[@super8mate]

They don’t steal everyone’s money. The ultra wealthy pay nothing.

[@legendre007]

People react as if the USA has too much freedom when it actually doesn't have enough.

[@LaminarSound]

The weakest, pussiest Americans are the most entitled and look at countries with far few freedoms with envy. Its disgusting.

[@adrianjuarez1162]

Thanks to big government idiots like politicians and even people that support big government. We're still free the constitution is still in place but I see the politicians we have now and there just stomp on it.

[@travisfoster1071]

The United States has been the pervayor of tyranny for the past century, quite the opposite of the free country that has been reported. Good thing too.... it's about time for it to die.

[@notallowedtobehonest2539]

Bwack ppl and wahmn make everything less free

[@RamonesFan201]

Ohhh we have none as of now..

[@ROGER2095]

"That government is best that governs least." True then, true now.

[@unbreakable7633]

The essence of liberty is leaving other people alone.

[@torablack]

true dat

[@notallowedtobehonest2539]

"Bwack ppl and wahmn always vote for authoritarian psyops because theyre of subhuman intelligence"

[@Sustainability105]

@@unbreakable7633Then leave the LGBTQ community alone.

[@105rogue]

​@@Sustainability105I'm pretty certain "LGBTQ" individuals have the same rights that all citizens have.

[@SchecterMongoose]

When the president is going after a former president while his son gets off with a slap on the wrist for multiple felonies you know your not free.

[@kilburn1313]

I know its much different but, I went to jail in the late 70's for not paying a $65 speeding fine that I did not agree with, it was $10 per day off your fine until paid,

[@srdjan455]

When you're uneducated

[@-FreeAlberta-]

Banana republics have their political opponents arrested. It's an insult to people's intelligence when Biden has Trump arrested for doing the exact same thing he did.

[@Rob-metoo527]

You're not free anyway you pay property taxes and by the way you're supporting a rapist..

[@SteveB-nx2uo]

@@srdjan455 when you care more about grammar then the state of the executive branch, judiciary, congress, nation, and planet

[@chuckbowie5833]

Nothing but respect for Mr. Stossel.

[@theomaid]

Why?

[@Bear-kt1pl]

@@theomaid because, agree or disagree with hid politics, he lays out a good, common sense argument. And he seems to really care about our freedoms and our country?

[@anamegoeshere]

i disagree because WHAT OTHER COUNTRY can you be openly gay and not have ANY BACKLASH...

[@theomaid]

@Bear-kt1pl That list in the video was complete nonsense. It ranked CANADA over America?!?!?!? I'm Canadian. I can't own a gun, I can't speak my mind against Trans people, my property has to be safe for trespassers, very soon Canadian content creators won't be able to freely post what they want to online, taxes are high, Trudeau is a dictator. The list goes on. Americans take what they have for granted. Immigrants sell everything they have to get into your country for a reason.

[@masterpaine9161]

​@@anamegoesherevirtually none

[@johnmitchell2247]

Never been more miserable as a hard working patriotic American in my 58 years under this horrific govt.

[@RamonesFan201]

Still a slave

[@johnpruett5258]

And it's going to get much worse.

[@RamonesFan201]

suicide?

[@kilburn1313]

Hold your head up m8y

[@irritatedkitty7301]

Inflation is deflating my wallet, too.

[@datastorm75]

People don't realize that freedom means a minimum amount of government. Laws generally don't exist to punish the guilty. They generally exist to control the honest.

[@shawnpatton3795]

No Constitution then? With that we still had slavery and segregation after the reconstruction Amendments. Without laws/regulations, people would be negatively impacted by secondhand smoke, etc.

[@peacefulwarrior4151]

Freedom means having a choice!

[@torablack]

lkr.

[@zanthraxnl]

People no longer want to be free to do what they want to do. They want to be free from the consequences of their mistakes instead.

[@cat6th363]

I always thought that. It's nice to find a similar mind

[@JKadison]

Unfortunately, people in the United States have become apathetic about their elections and elected officials. We need far less government and far more common sense.

[@LifeBindeR222]

Also the choices we get are kind of terrible so there's nobody to really vote for. They all promise the moon and deliver nothing once they're elected.

[@vicepresidentmikepence889]

You have to love the irony. Saying we need less government, while commenting on the internet, which was created by government

[@the_expidition427]

@@vicepresidentmikepence889 Not particulary it's beneficial to the people to have a taxpayer funded project. It doesn't show the size of the U.S. government which had been smaller in scale at the time of developing wide area networks and ARPANET the biggest miniority is the individual when that isn't defended nothing is

[@SovereignStatesman]

They are RATIONALLY apathetic, because ELECTIONS ARE NOT CHOICE IN GOVERNMENT. They are ULTIMATUMS that are DICTATED BY government, and BOUGHT by Crony Capitalists. If you think we can VOTE our way out of tyranny, you are woefully naive.

[@RM-jb2bv]

The “educational” system dumbed down the population past the point of redemption. It took about 1 generation just as Bezmenov warned in the late 80’s.

[@shermanngjazz]

As much as I love being a US citizen and having the opportunity to leave Hong Kong before the 2019 protests, I'm very concerned that our freedoms in America are eroding away fast.

[@tecumseh4095]

What do you love about it with a #26 ranked freedom?

[@arcadianlhadattshirotsughW33Z]

@@tecumseh4095 which globalist anti sovereignty group ranks these freedoms? do they include actual free speech, the right to firearms?

[@glasslinger]

If they get away with eliminating cash, your freedom will be TOTALLY GONE! WAKE UP!

[@christophercole9360]

Sad thing is, most Americans don't care as long as their TV work's.

[@glasslinger]

@@christophercole9360 OOPS! Ball game is on! Gotta run!

[@armstrongflg]

There’s a lot of “smart” people who are completely lost on the damages of increased government spending. It boggles the mind. Great video.

[@user-ze3sg6ix1u]

These "smart" people are often the arrogant utopians that believe they know better than others, and therefore support the idea of some single authority of what is good and needed. Exactly what communism is

[@yoshyusmc]

Lot?? More like the entire political party called the Democrat party. The GOP is complicit as well as they have done shit to reign in spending yet want to fight abortion, or last decade political battle. In the mean time the DNC has been able to turn the whole "unpatriotic" narrative around on the GOP because they let them get away with the banana republic jan 6 trials and harsh treatment of basically trespassers, meanwhile Soros funded DAs are letting criminal run rampant many retailers are closing in the ghettos (yeah I am bringing the term back because it describes so many American downtowns small and large cities) even the US POST OFFICE!!

[@michaeldoran4367]

MASSIVE VEINY BLACK KOCK WITH INCREDIBLE GIRTH TRYING TO FORCE ITS WAY INTO A STEAMY BUT WHOLE

[@Despiser25]

Its hard to get a man to understand something when his paycheck depends on him not understanding. A common trait for ALL Socialists.

[@michaeldoran4367]

@@Despiser25 PEENUS POKING THRU PAJAMAS! 19 INCH VEINY FLACCID HOG POKING THRU PAJAMAS. WINTER TIME CAUSES THE PEENUS TO BE SHRIVELED FROM THE COLD!

[@jtto6364]

Politicians need to show they are doing something. All the while enriching themselves at our expense

[@lightcaesar]

And fools like you will wait decades for them to do so, but it never happens.

[@gifthorse3675]

We allow it because they have a monopoly on violence

[@russellbrown1068]

We would all be better off if the Government did nothing.

[@radthadd]

​@@russellbrown1068except kill😂

[@ITSFUNZ]

Why are we in such a hurry to throw away the Freedom Americans have fought so hard for ??? We live and die together 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@dreamscape405]

Agreed...it's almost like it was planned...(wink, wink) 😯😳🧐

[@Rambo-or7ge]

You can't even own your your own house talks about freedom I sometimes don't even know what to think about Americans

[@DMAGAEscober]

Because government told us we’d be more safer if we do.

[@KiwiPepega]

Not wrong. Americans have this misconception through arrogance and ignorance of the outside world, they are stuck in the 1950's and think the world hasn't evolved. They are SO far behind. All they do is war, borrow and promote national propoganda.@@Rambo-or7ge

[@NBZW]

From my nearly 90 years as a citizen of this country, I’ve witnessed it’s decline from good too bad too rotten, sense 1993. You figure it out.

[@TheFreemanuk]

Same time as internet happened.

[@NBZW]

@@TheFreemanuk And Clinton administration . If I interested, research Clinton’s changes to DOJ/FBI on nearly his first day in office .

[@ralphholiman7401]

I'm 65 and I would say the same thing. Things started going to shtt in the 90's.

[@NBZW]

was employed in News paper business at the time, read where Clinton fired all previously appointed members of the DOJ and FBI , as well as accelerated the retirement of long term employees. At the time it smelled like Denmark but didn’t realize the end result. Later something came up about Soros funding exact move in Venezuela, that’s when I realized we were in the deep brown stuff.

[@3644Darrell]

​@@TheFreemanukI would say it started with when the Clintons took office and it was after 911 that the shit really hit the fan

[@Jimbojoebob]

Notice how there was a play called "Hamilton" who loved big government, but no play called "Madison" who wanted small government.

[@michaelreimer951]

Thought there should be one on Jefferson. Jeffersonian principles were widely believed to be the rule of the land until the Civil War largely altered that belief. Jefferson was a dynamic character with deep flaws and yet many upsides.

[@btsnake]

I bet it was big Broadway and George Soros!

[@btsnake]

​@@michaelreimer951I like Jefferson the most but he could've been a little more ambitious in his vision for the country and American society. A successful society can't ever help but become advanced and interconnected, and to do the opposite and have a nation perpetually inhabited by pastoral citizens is stagnation. Other than that I like basically everything about him

[@deafleppard1812]

James Monroe was a really great president too.

[@rickiecomeaux8287]

No play called Jefferson either. The Federalists would be globalists today. Also the Federalists thought a Bill of Rights was not necessary.

[@someguyinphoenix1876]

This is a reminder that taxation is theft.

[@whitegoose2017]

When the politicians use taxes to distribute money to their rich friends it is theft. Otherwise it is for the common good.

[@theomaid]

Kinda. Taxes are necessary, though.

[@cavemanbum]

Taxation (the levying of a tax) → Levy (impose; a tax, fee, fine, etc.) → Impose (force; something unwelcome or unfamiliar) → Force (coercion or compulsion, especially with the use or threat of violence). 😠

[@theomaid]

@@cavemanbum If there was no threat or consequence, who would willingly pay taxes? I wouldn't

[@whitegoose2017]

@@theomaid Well, that's because no one ever actually put forth a convincing argument why you should pay taxes. To clarify I'm not American, but I'll gladly pay taxes (within reason) for the reason that I don't have to live in a fortress for safety when I go to sleep or in general just living. It's just that. Without taxation society would revert into a feudal system.

[@user-ji2on8eg3l]

Inflation is taxation without representation.

[@rudranilpal3074]

As an Indian citizen, this is true about Indian Economic freedom.

[@LagrangePoint0]

@@elinope4745 Did you even see the video?, he mentioned this is happening in many countries.

[@sankum4445]

​@@LagrangePoint0yeah and he just confirmed the part about it happening in india

[@jeanf8998]

Been listening to John Stossel many years and always gives me something to think about!

[@sarahg2653]

I know, me too. He is so pleasant to listen to. I really like the guy.

[@johnmceiver3769]

his news reports are good too

[@joekent6576]

My wife works for a multi-national company that won't do business in India because bribes are the only way to get anything done. It's the standard out there, but bribery goes against the company's ethics. More companies need to go that. Lead by example.

[@shawnpatton3795]

What about lobbyists and our politicians?

[@harrymills2770]

@@shawnpatton3795 Same deal. But here's how it works in the USA: If you DON'T lobby and donate to Congressional campaigns and generally enrich and empower Congress, then Congress will go after you. Bill Gates wasn't political until Congress went after him, threatening to break up his company. Then he got VERY political, bending the government, itself, to his will, when originally, he wanted nothing to do with politics. But once he took an interest and started spreading money around, Congress lost all interest in going after Microsoft, and became Microsoft's best friend.

[@torablack]

agreed

[@septembersurprise5178]

@@harrymills2770 "There isn't any way to libel the human race." - Mark Twain

[@zion3335]

@@harrymills2770 as an indian i can say the unelected beurocracy here is extremely powerful and have a strong lobby. u will be surprised to know that the politicians have little or now power over them, they run the country and design the system, which benefis them as a class,. the politicians don't have the power (literally its very difficult to fire these beurocrats), and rubber stamp everything. its gotten to a point that they run the system and design laws and regulations, which elected politicians understand little and approve. Dont make America like this...

[@tomk.3428]

With all of the trillions of dollars spent on “infrastructure” since Obama, how the hell did another bridge collapse on our national interstate system????? With all of those trillions, did the government EVER consider fixing a bridge, anywhere???

[@harrymills2770]

To a man who's never done a day's labor in his life, "shovel-ready" means "My buddies all get rich."

[@sarahg2653]

Crazy, isn't it? Where exactly is our money GOING?!?!?

[@jasondorsey7110]

"C'mon man"

[@jackmaher4466]

@@sarahg2653 You know where it is going. Our pols and their buddy's all getting very wealthy.

[@mramisuzuki6962]

95 was an accident but thankfully 95 is forced repair and Philadelphia Rats can’t touch it.

[@-FreeAlberta-]

You are not alone. The same is happening here in Canada. Time after time, people keep voting for this. Govern me harder mentality.

[@_Rockill_]

Trudeau was installed by WEF same as Gavin Newsome.

[@trunkmonkey355]

John's unbiased reporting is refreshing.

[@Alan0000able]

Calling right wing conservative unbiased lmao

[@johndoe-wt6rt]

@@Alan0000able As if a left-wing democrat wouldn't be. News flash everyone is biased whether they do it consciously or not. Genuinely everyone with a political opinion of any kind is at least a little biased.

[@user-ze3sg6ix1u]

@@Alan0000able Lmao I love how promoting economic freedom and literacy is considered right wing conservative. These were all ideas that democrats supported not long ago. thanks for confirming Liberals hate economics

[@grondhero]

@@Alan0000able If you had half the intelligence you think you do, you'd realize he's not a "right wing conservative." Watching his videos would inform you of that, if you have the mental capacity to learn.

[@Alan0000able]

@@grondhero How so ? He is constantly against government, he does not take problems like climate change seriously, calls every social program "communism". Sounds pretty much conservative to me, ofc fanboys can't watch in the mirror.

[@leclubbachraf]

now this is a classic stossel video

[@TheSimba86]

pro tip, whatever they say a bill does, it will actually do the opposite

[@mpowe123]

Opposite plus it also prevents and criminalizes "x". Pretty sure that's how tightrope walking in Boston on a Sunday became a crime.

[@paulholmes1303]

That is the socialist playbook, always name something the opposite of what it does and everyone will vote yes. Tried to get a homeless person albeit with a slighter better than minimum wage ($10) job on Obama Care, they said it would be 380 bucks a month and you MIGHT get a tax credit next April if you fall in a special category. Affordable Care Act anyone?

[@harrymills2770]

"We didn't intend these consequences. We had no way of knowing." "You had plenty of ways of knowing, starting with the people who warned you about those exact consequences. Remember? You called us 'conspiracy theorists!'"

[@harrymills2770]

@@paulholmes1303 LOTS of people fell through the cracks and continue to fall through the cracks. Obama just came up with a different set of cracks for WORKING people to fall through, and made medical care even MORE expensive for everybody who had any money at all. If you're TOTALLY worthless and do NO work, Obama Care is for YOU.

[@jonathancampbell586]

Thanks for the Heritage Foundation! We Need to hold Our Leaders to Be Accountable!

[@williambilyeu9801]

This episode reminds of "A Parliament of Whores" by P. J. O'Rourke. I recommend that book to anyone that can read. People used to ask me why I preferred "Do Nothing Congress" and "legislative gridlock." I always told them: "Congress never hurt us with laws that didn't pass. It's the laws that are passed that hurt us." When a Congressman asked what I wanted Congress to do for me, I told him: "I want government to leave me alone."

[@vaman5591]

Amen to that.

[@telcobilly]

“No man's life, liberty, or property are safe while the congress is in session.” ~ Mark Twain

[@EF-69]

Government equals force.

[@SovereignStatesman]

Because the people DO NOT CONSENT to it.

[@shawnpatton3795]

The rich and powerful that didn’t want to pay taxes started this country, and it’s been the same ever since.

[@734ch3r]

They are just the official mafia.

[@ashleypenn7845]

My family is very careful with our finances and works hard to be responsible. This is the poorest we've ever been. Thanks, Biden.

[@DanCooper404]

Have you considered getting a 2nd job?

[@ashleypenn7845]

@@DanCooper404 well 1. We shouldn't have to and 2. We're still looking for a FIRST job because my husband got caught in the fallout of the sweeping tech layoffs earlier this year. He's filled out over 300 applications and had dozens of interviews. His this close to giving up altogether and becoming a truck driver, which is kinda difficult since he's physically disabled, but we have kids to feed so we don't have a choice.

[@RazorFriendly]

@@DanCooper404 You might not be a robot, but you are a garbage human.

[@visitante-pc5zc]

Sorry to hear about your situation. I wish you all the best. But this is not a biden-only problem. The government started this obscene spending circus long time ago with Bush son.

[@wishteria234]

@@DanCooper404 what a ignorant statement

[@lightcaesar]

These "united states" are no longer a good idea. It's time to break up! Divided we stand, united we fall!

[@gifthorse3675]

The democrats won’t let people leave out from underneath their iron fist

[@lightcaesar]

@@gifthorse3675 Party doesn't matter. The Regime must be dissolved!

[@analyticalhabitrails9857]

Lolol thats EXACTLY what they want! Death by a thousand cuts!! Lolol

[@lightcaesar]

@@analyticalhabitrails9857 Yes, "they" are the millions of freedom lovers who longer wish to be abused by the DC Regime. DEATH to the "us!" Why do you need it?

[@SwordHandler222]

There are trade offs to consider. Free and easy movement of peoples between state lines is powerful for business.

[@torablack]

I applaud Singapore for being the most economically free country but without freedom of speech or freedom of assembly the people aren't truly free.

[@stevenscott2136]

How many people actually USE those? Freedom is very subjective -- I never use my freedom of religion, for example, I just allow my co-workers to assume I'm whatever they are.

[@billmartin9733]

And what percentage of their GDP is spent on their military? That's a huge factor.

[@theelite1x721987]

​@@stevenscott2136you do.... you are free to be whatever religion you want (or have no religion). Does the government persecute you for not being what they want? Are you fined for not praying at the right church on Sunday? Trust me, you're exercising your rights, even if you think you arent

[@jman4817]

Thank you for sounding the alarm yet again about the dangers of big government at too much spending. Great video! Thank you for standing for freedom

[@shawnpatton3795]

What if you used our defense budget for that, instead of offense?

[@jman4817]

I certainly should be a "defense" budget

[@sheerwillsurvival2064]

John telling the truth. Thank you John truly thank you

[@MR-nl8xr]

Also asking the uncomfortable questions, love this guy!

[@sheerwillsurvival2064]

@@MR-nl8xr even though I don’t always agree with him. I totally respect his journalism and honesty

[@idraw4me181]

The federal gov't is entirely too large, the vast majority of it just needs to be shut down allowing the states to manage themselves. This way taxes can be reduced because there won't be so much to pay for and there will be far fewer things to have laws passed for at the federal level.

[@davidthompson1369]

And, he people misspending our funds will at least be closer at hand if we need to tar and feather anyone. Tar and feather- bringing it back 2023!!

[@johnmceiver3769]

The Federation of America

[@ronhamm]

A small and limited government is essential!!!

[@notallowedtobehonest2539]

A bwack and wahmn voter base will never choose that

[@atenas80525]

If the government can print all this money, why do we still pay taxes?

[@smking100]

To perpetuate the facade of free markets and limited government.

[@davidthompson1369]

To keep you poor and the gov't boot to your throat.

[@gifthorse3675]

Control

[@notallowedtobehonest2539]

Wahmn and bp constantly vote for authoritarians because they are dumb

[@SwordHandler222]

The government does not print money to pay for spending...

[@SDsc0rch]

this isn't the country I grew up in : ((

[@johngalt6838]

Yes it is....they were planning this then too....just didn't get there till now.

[@DavianSinner]

It never was.

[@analyticalhabitrails9857]

Of course not. Because it WAS, but america got poisoned. Just save up your stories for your grandchildrens and tell them what it was once like in america when men was free.

[@SY-jq4yw]

Politicians spend taxpayers money recklessly.

[@fastamx069box8]

TRUTH, TRUTH, TRUTH Facts vs Feelings. Keep telling the TRUTH John... 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@michaelligue3842]

John , you are the most informative member of the media . Thank you .

[@Thereminator101]

The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. - Ayn Rand

[@sarahg2653]

Anarcho-tyranny, I say

[@kannermw]

The real problem is criminal laws are not enforced and punished not the number of laws.

[@105rogue]

Love Ayn Rand

[@_Rockill_]

Prisons in the US are big business. Prisons are an $80 billion dollar a year industry. Prison labor generates $11 billion in goods and services. The US incarnates more people than any country on the planet. More people will go to jail than those that will graduate from university. The US chooses to waste tax payer dollars to support living expenses for convicted murderers for years instead of utilizing and enforcing the death penalty. I am all for decriminalizing petty crime but that needs to be balanced with the more strict penalties for violent crimes. The justice system needs overhauled and audited. It shouldn’t be the DOJ investigating itself to determine if they were or were not unlawful.

[@Zeetana1]

@@_Rockill_ Prisons should be about punishment and to rehabilitate them so they can become a productive member of society again upon release. They should not be there to exploit the free labor off of. I don't mind them working, but then it should be a choice and perhaps they should be able to save up some for themselves for when they get out. It's definitely a problem in USA (and many places). The ones that are never safe to release, the real awful ones, should just get death penalty sooner in cases where there is no doubt they're guilty.

[@sarahg2653]

Thank you for what you do, John. You're one of my favorite (and trusted) media heads when it comes to politics.

[@LittleMopeHead]

Not only less free every year, DIVIDED!

[@spartin001full]

Exactly the smaller the government the better.

[@mathisnotforthefaintofheart]

Well, one thing is clear...for small government don't vote Republican🤣

[@spartin001full]

@@mathisnotforthefaintofheart Democrats have their hand in it too.

[@Tacomuch]

We need men like John Stossel to run our country.

[@sa3270]

I'd be happy if half the people in the media were like him.

[@droberts7859]

We need people like John to expose the government! We have had extreme government toadies since Biden ran for President, in his basement. We need reporter to expose graft, cheating, lying and other crimes! We need more Americans to understand that the Russia collusion was a catastrophic event of Democrats manipulating the narrative and it continues to divide the people today. Hillary, Obama and the gang created a dangerous fissure that is sinking our Constitutional rights! We need Justice! We need courageous men and women telling us the truth!

[@jeffscott3160]

Too many stupid Americans to ever get a guy like Stossel elected. It's like people don't want honesty and integrity, they would much rather have corruption and buffoonerie hence why we always seem to end up with a choice between a Trump and a Biden.

[@Gsoda35]

not without the complete restructuring of the government and removal of stupid politicians on both sides. just look at that Greene fool.

[@justinjex1]

All these things are true. The idiocracy of the American public should NOT be overlooked.

[@Lumindeas]

Term limits for all elected officials from local to federal need to be the order of the day. No more career politicians fleecing us and fattening their pocketbooks. They work for us, not the other way around.

[@alanm.4298]

Be careful what you ask for... we implemented term limits here in California years ago, and they just made things worse. One of the problems is that there is a large "freshman" class of legislators sent to Sacramento every year or two. Waiting for them is an extensive array of experienced, permanent lobbyists who are "only too happy to help" the newbies. As a result, the percentage of bills written by special interest groups has steadily increased each year. By the time the legislators learn their way around in the state's capitol city, many hit the end of their term. Term limits also may well be why California is now effectively a single party state. Democrats have a super majority in Sacramento, so effectively they can do whatever they want as a party. I'm sure you've seen all the news about how messed up it is here on the West Coast. Everything is dominated now by the big urban centers: San Francisco Bay Area, LA County, Orange County and San Diego account for more than half the state's 40 million population. Even the last two, which once were conservative strongholds, now only elect Democrats to both state and local offices. You would think people would wake up, but they don't. The final nail in the coffin were "temporary" changes in election laws done because of the pandemic, which have now become permanent. All elections are now done by mail. A ballot is mailed to every name on the state voter rolls that haven't been updated in decades. It is illegal to ask for voter ID. In-person polling sites have been reduced while drop boxes increased. "Ballot harvesting" is legal. It is essentially a textbook example how to run fraudulent elections. Ronald Reagan couldn't get elected governor again in today's California.

[@jackmaher4466]

@@alanm.4298 Thank you for letting us know what is happening out there.

[@PearlJamaholic]

Term limits are anti-freedom. You should have the choice to vote for whoever you want, if you want Bill Clinton as president for 30 years, and he wants the job that should be your choice to make, and his choice to run. We need better voters, and more limits on government. More limits on voters won't bring us better government. The easy fix is to cut salaries and perks, if they want to become wealthy, a career politician shouldn't be a feasible option to achieve that.

[@Lumindeas]

@@PearlJamaholic Term limits are not anti-freedom and do not limit the choices of the voters. It keeps people from creating dynasty's within the government. If by more limits on government you mean limiting it's size, then I agree. Government should be shrunk by 50% minimum, for starters, and there needs to be a mass expungement of all the useless and needless laws, rules, and regulations that do nothing but hinder innovation and growth.

[@Lumindeas]

@@alanm.4298 I'm also a proponent for outlawing lobbying. Not just doing away with it, but making it a crime. It's nothing more than legalized bribery in it's current state anyway. And I'm not thinking of say, only two years or something short like that. My proposal would consist of 12 year terms for Congress. It gives them 8 years with potentially one President, with an overlap for whomever comes in next. You could serve the second half of one President and 8 with the next, or however. It gives them time in the beginning to learn their way around, and then time to work on bills and things their respective constituents voted them in for. But no more 20, 30 , 50 year dynasty's. That needs to end.

[@harryknutts8428]

i dont feel free , i feel i work too much

[@shawnpatton3795]

FIRE

[@davidthompson1369]

Arbeit macht frei!

[@gifthorse3675]

8-10 hour days five days a week is plenty but I always have these old farts talking about how lazy all young people are because we don’t work in the factories for 16 hours a day like they did. Why work two jobs to pay for a house or apartment you never spend any time in?

[@analyticalhabitrails9857]

And you still think this is all by chance or happenstance?! I'm here to tell ya, it's a setup. ALMOST ALL OF IT. You're probably working 10 to 12 hours shift, monday thru friday maybe Satudays too and probably get a week off every year, probably just christmas, thanksgiving days off and that's it. Those are bread crumbs.

[@kenthawley5990]

We are frogs in a pot of water, and the fire keeps getting hotter.

[@analyticalhabitrails9857]

Either the frogs get out, or perish there, or die by suicide.

[@kylewatson5133]

Government is the devil. Yes, you can do a deal with the devil and it can give you some really nice things like roads or the ability to play the violin. But, those trades come with a cost of societies soul.

[@davidthompson1369]

You're my spirit animal. Truth.

[@analyticalhabitrails9857]

You can't dance with the Devil without getting burnt.

[@Bear-kt1pl]

I wish more people understood that govt.,while a necessary evil, should be kept as small as possible and only address the issues the Constitution enumerates.

[@leslovesliberty1776]

Thank you John for being the first to wake me up to the fact that govt = force, many years ago... Thanks to you, my son grew up cognizant of this fact & he has a great head on his shoulders!! 🙏💯👍

[@MrGp3po]

I wise man once pointed out that we have so many laws, the average American violates three each day. That means government may selectively prosecute and persecute anyone they choose to.

[@SwordHandler222]

The heritage freedom ranking is a joke. As if, the amount of freedom really has changed so much, so fast. Barely anything has happened in terms of federal law in 20 years let alone 10, and yet the US has slipped 10 points recently out of 100. They have Canada ranked higher in terms of freedom, and yet Canada has way higher income tax that kicks in at a much lower level of income. Canada also has government run healthcare. The US is supposedly so much less free now, and yet for some reason, the US continues to basically be the place everything happens in the world in terms of business. However, this list is a lot better than the Cato Institute ranking in which it's clear they believe the narrative that black people are oppressed in the US, for which they dock a bunch of points, as well as whether gays can get married.

[@gregorycotter6461]

For every new law passed, we get should get rid of another one or two.

[@hoosierdaddy1469]

Which is why I take every opportunity to lower my taxes, and then move my money out of country. Citizen in 1 country, bank in another, business in another, and live in another.

[@analyticalhabitrails9857]

HAHAHAHA!!!! Wait till the BANKS converts your physical cash into their digital currency!! You will comply at the cost of your life!!!! Lolol

[@evoazante973]

Always honest and precise

[@gyevideotube]

We love you John!! God bless you and your family 🙏💙

[@adamc1966]

US policy: Never let a crisis go to waste 👍

[@ajclarke9189]

The ones who can’t see that the government isn’t Santa Claus are the same people who can’t see that Karl Marx was an apocalyptic fortune-teller, not a political scientist.

[@Mystefier]

I'm so glad you talk about this. I try to spread the word. I don't understand why so few people talk about the negative effects of restrictions.

[@Novastar.SaberCombat]

They're groomed not to do so. Distractions are provided that pits citizens against one another. Also, corruption is so prevalent, no one has any hope in anyone nor anything. I surely do not.

[@MNRAZORBACK]

The economist Thomas sowell says that there are no solutions that there are only trade-offs. That applies in so many dimensions in life. I really appreciate how John stossel points out that while Singapore is the freest by this group's measure, they have real problems with personal freedoms. I really appreciate the honest reporting

[@HondoTrailside]

And those affect economic freedom. Easiest for me to think of art examples, but there would others, such as getting talent would have to be affected, but given the size of Singapore, maybe that doesn't mater. People complain about North Korea, but Singapore was basically a dictatorship, but it was a good parent one, which is pretty rare.

[@VanquishedAgain]

And we don't? 😂😂😂

[@danarespress164]

The only journalist I trust right now. Great work like always.

[@spearhunked1369]

I just want honesty

[@macdaddyjill]

"Free stuff" isn't really free

[@Disticomb]

You will have to pay for it later, but with huge interest.

[@rodrigok1220]

Imagine that. I always say free to who? In order for you to get something free from the government, they have to reach into someone else’s pocket to make it happen. Or, just print more money which makes what you have in your pocket less valuable.

[@bquade70]

Stossel 2024🇺🇸

[@soulmanm12954]

So, I’m not crazy!!! I thought it was just me getting old!!!!😁🤣 Now, what can WE do about it!!! Know the problem, but fixing it will take some real change - meaning get those BIG spenders out of office and put those who know it’s not THEIR money in office!

[@jlalonde1000]

I don't know Canada has up to 60 percent taxed income and 15 percent on everything you buy so you only get to spend 25 percent of what you earn beat that usa

[@jt1559]

Your sentiment is correct, but that's not how math works. Assuming you're taxed at 60%, that leaves 40%. Now assume you spend every cent (which most of those at tax rate don't do), then 15% of that 40% is 6%, which means you pay an additional 6% of your total income on this goods and services tax. So 60% + 6% = 66%, which is still horrible.

[@gifthorse3675]

That’s so they can “pay” for your “free” deathcare

[@adrianjuarez1162]

When a Canadian says free Healthcare it really isn't free it's taxpayer funded. All the while you guys have wildfires going to New York 😂.

[@IndialanticRob]

Thx for what you do MR. Stossel, brilliant

[@georgek9726]

John Stossel...youre my hero

[@keshaheffron4425]

Thank you for this report Mr. Stossel!

[@danielboone8256]

James Madison had it right in saying that we ought not comply with officers of the union.

[@user-qb3zq5pj1u]

People care more about what a celebrity is doing than the gov

[@Gregory-Masovutch]

Hong Kong is diverse with many businesses. Just came back we had a great time.

[@CK-jd7wo-test]

We elect people who cater to lobbyists not citizens... reform is needed

[@reddoggie554]

There is a strong correlation between economic freedom and per capita wealth.

[@notallowedtobehonest2539]

Theres also a big correlation with wahmn/bwacks and authoritarian voting patterns

[@CaesarCapone]

​@@notallowedtobehonest2539What does your statement mean? Like, anybody can just say some nonsense is correlated with some other?

[@notallowedtobehonest2539]

@@CaesarCapone our economic freedom is gone because bp and wahmn are terrible at maintaining economies

[@RamonesFan201]

@@notallowedtobehonest2539it is the truth lol

[@notallowedtobehonest2539]

@@RamonesFan201 only pandering kukcs disagree

[@justingolden21]

Amazing videos every time Stossel! Interesting to see comparisons to other countries, analysis, different types of freedoms, economic systems, all in 7 mins!

[@MemeMan42069]

In my life the US went from 4th to 25th in economic freedom. That's just depressing.

[@unclevroomvroom]

Let Freedom Reign!!!

[@j.p.4541]

Damn good post John, thank you and keep up the great work!

[@regularprepperguy6210]

All I've heard has been "If you don't like it here, leave!" How about NO! How about we take it back!

[@jashall3804]

If we want true Monetary Equality, Then enact the flat tax., at 15 to 20& on anything anyone buys even Corporations. This is a step forward. have 2/3 of the House and Senate to raise.

[@duanepigden1337]

If corporations were not corrupt then you wouldn’t need so many laws.

[@duanepigden1337]

@@user-sq4sb3hq5e -- your right about corporate greed but I was talking more about safety regulations, hazard material handling etc.

[@duanepigden1337]

@@user-sq4sb3hq5e -- very true. I always wonder when republicans say their going to get rid of regulations which ones their talking about.

[@duanepigden1337]

@@user-sq4sb3hq5e -- that would be a start. There are to many lawyers and law suits.

[@duanepigden1337]

@@user-sq4sb3hq5e -- thank you, I didn’t know that. Also I keep hearing that we need more competition to keep prices down. The only problem is that the big guys just buy them up.

[@duanepigden1337]

@@user-sq4sb3hq5e -- very true

[@mustang607]

The rise of illiberalism.

[@mathisnotforthefaintofheart]

I can't vote conservatism if I want liberty. No more Christofacists in the government. Tax the churches

[@AR-rz3tk]

Thank you, John! Keep up the great journalism.

[@michaelschmidt1101]

YAY Singapore - went there last weak... clean and open and livable.

[@colestowing8695]

I wish I'd recognized John Stossel's work for the treasure it is a long time ago. Also, Milton Friedmans shows changed the way i think about a lot of economy related subjects. Im 50 and had a complete re-awakening to how the world works.

[@natehill8069]

Been saying this for decades. Every law passed decreases some form of freedom for someone.

[@JaredAF]

Keep fighting the good fight John!

[@anthonydelrosario1718]

When congress keeps raising the debt ceiling , it is no longer a ceiling if they keep raising it . STOP raising it .

[@_Rockill_]

Clinton was close to paying off the deficit. This $32 trillion in debt all came about since Clinton left office.

[@charleneblack2792]

I'd just like to inform the viewers with children of Stossel in the Classroom. We use it in our homeschool, and the kids respond really well. It teaches them to become critical thinkers.

[@michaelreimer951]

Reminds me of that movie "Living" that came out last year. The London beauracracy in London after WW2, when a man faces his own mortality realizing his work was important but never truly had meaning beyond finding ways to push paperwork around. He reflects on how he missed so many great oppurtunities in life to enjoy pure happiness that he recalled having as a kid and decides to personally push paperwork through to afford kids a happier chilhood with a park they had been blocking through process. All that paperwork reminded me of that movie, as it was an incredibly touching movie on not accepting behaviors based not only in government beuaracracy but the beuaracracy that can come from within. Almost seemed like something Stossel might have even written the script for.

[@redmambatheoriginal3682]

Thanks again for this Mr. Stossel

[@edbrown6985]

Excellent video as always john.years ago you were my first subscription.

[@the4universes207]

I am a mexican, I lived in Pennsylvania in a red county with trump supporters. I love the people, great land and free society, it was easy to access guns rights and open small businesses. You people need to understand how to vote, because in Mexico we have socialist politicians which expend too much. Yes I know trump kicked the buckets sometimes but damn this government is terrible.

[@sebholding]

The point of measuring economic freedom but not other individual freedoms is to show the importance on economic growth and prosperity

[@tdgdbs1]

You can use the prosperity gain from economic freedom to buy a boat load of individual freedom.

[@analyticalhabitrails9857]

Lolol without personal, freedoms you're just talking about BREAD AND CIRCUS show.

[@sebholding]

@@analyticalhabitrails9857 if you went to a prosperous place like Singapore, you would understand it means more than that.

[@sebholding]

@@tdgdbs1 right, yet it's not necessary a great experience to be sent to jail because you protested the government or said the wrong thing

[@mathisnotforthefaintofheart]

There are a lot of things I don't agree with John, yet I do find him knowledgeable and I like to listen to him.

[@heavyliberty9763]

John Stossel for president!

[@grantn4955]

What about banks loaning out money they don't have? Fractional Reserve Banking is huge issue imo. At least at the current 90/10 rate.

[@analyticalhabitrails9857]

The BANKS are supposed to be illegal entity in the first place for very good reasons.